"I’ve always said that the change we need in this country — real change — doesn’t come from Washington, it comes from folks like you. Change has always come from ordinary Americans who sit in or stand up or marched to demand it. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has been a partner at the forefront of that movement for 40 years. ... With your help, we will continue the journey to perfect our union. The work will be hard, the road will be long, but I’m more confident than ever that we will reach a better future as long as Americans like you keep reaching for justice — and all of us keep marching together."

Comments

...more crumbs from Obama. If he doesn't do something at Federal level for gay marriage then he does NOT believe in equality for us. You can't claim to support us but do nothing to MAKE marriage equality happen.

He's right. Change cannot come from the top down, but rather from the bottom up. It's the only way it will ever last. He's not a king, nor a wizard that can wave a magic wand and suddenly make everything all right, so please stop expecting him to do that.

Posted by: Natamaxxx | Jan 25, 2013 3:25:23 PM

No, the president is not a king, nor is he a dictator. However, he could do a lot more to support LGBT rights than just offer words of support. He dragged his feet on DADT repeal, he dragged his feet on marriage equality and he's still doing what he does, offer words but little action. His DoJ still won't file a brief in support of anti-DOMA cases before the supreme court. He doesn't believe that marriage equality should be a federal law, but a state-by-state patchwork. No he doesn't throw us under the bus, and yes he's been the most supportive president in history, but he could do so much more. Especially now that he is in his last term.

Posted by: Brad | Jan 25, 2013 3:38:08 PM

Creating Change is a just a big pep rally...and can anyone name anything the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has done lately?

Posted by: QJ201 | Jan 25, 2013 3:44:41 PM

I forgot NGLTF existed.

Posted by: Diogenes Arktos | Jan 25, 2013 4:06:51 PM

Just more MEANINGLESS, SHAMELESS, GUTLESS pandering! ***Nancy Goldstein: "Please don't get me wrong. I enjoy a charismatic speaker, a gay marching band, and a nice bit of alliteration as much as the next lesbian. But by the time President Obama invoked 'Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall' in his inauguration speech, I was ready to flog him with an 'It Gets Better' DVD. If words were action, this president would be a progressive's dream. But the LGBT community has been to this rodeo before: the one where Obama at his best–which is to say, in campaign mode–suckers us with platitudes about his commitment to fairness and change, civil rights, and constitutional values, and then sits on his butt until we force him to seek an actual political solution. When it comes to audacity, Obama's real legacy is not one of hope, but of feigned helplessness. ..."

Just more MEANINGLESS, SHAMELESS, GUTLESS pandering! ***Nancy Goldstein: "Please don't get me wrong. I enjoy a charismatic speaker, a gay marching band, and a nice bit of alliteration as much as the next lesbian. But by the time President Obama invoked 'Seneca Falls, and Selma, and Stonewall' in his inauguration speech, I was ready to flog him with an 'It Gets Better' DVD. If words were action, this president would be a progressive's dream. But the LGBT community has been to this rodeo before: the one where Obama at his best–which is to say, in campaign mode–suckers us with platitudes about his commitment to fairness and change, civil rights, and constitutional values, and then sits on his butt until we force him to seek an actual political solution. When it comes to audacity, Obama's real legacy is not one of hope, but of feigned helplessness. ..."

"...then sits on his butt until we force him to seek an actual political solution"

Could have easily been said of FDR, LBJ and Eisenhower. They acted when there was enough outcry to make them act. The President's strategy is nothing new.

And if you want a federal law you've got to go through Congress. Executive Orders can be executively un-ordered by a new president.

Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Jan 25, 2013 4:51:26 PM

Enough with the small talk, Mr President. Stop talking and start acting.

Posted by: jason | Jan 25, 2013 5:05:07 PM

Federal law? Just what federal law do you expect the President to be able to pass, on any subject? Is this common refrain a suggestion that he PROPOSE a law? Because that he can do. But again, what law?

Marriage licenses are granted by the states, and the only federal involvement is in recognizing them for benefit purposes. The only thing preventing that for gay couples is DOMA, and this president has done everything in his power to see that law overturned. So I don't have a clue what you whiners are on about. You make zero sense.

Posted by: Zlick | Jan 25, 2013 5:15:46 PM

This Creating Change address was perfunctory, though it goes without saying that a Republican President would not have given any address except an anti-gay one before CPAC.

But anyone who thinks the historic inaugural address earlier this week was "crumbs" or "small talk" is hopelessly naive and doesn't understand the power of the presidency. The take-away from the speech for mainstream America--and what is making Republican heads explode--is that gay rights matter and that equality is a foregone conclusion.

Like any presidency, the Obama presidency has had many flaws (though none as bad for gay rights as previous administrations, including the Clinton's), but it has also been a crucial game-changer for equality, which should be obvious to anyone who isn't short-sighted.

Just because orders by a President CAN be undone doesn't mean they WILL be undone. If you're against them, Mon Ami Derrick, then call the White House and ask "WHY the F did Obama order in 2009 that transgenders be added to Bill Clinton's order protecting gay federal civilian employees?"—that, note, is STILL in force 14 years later—as is FDR's WWII order to federal contractors not to discriminate against blacks AND Truman's 1948 order racially integrating the military. If you see someone who's been hit by car are you going to NOT do whatever you can because they MIGHT die?

I am so confused by some of the comments on this page. Just reading, one might think that President Obama is an anti-gay bigot.

And, how in the world do you tell the President what he must do. His approach has been systematic, politically savvy, and I would almost say genius.

Is it not obvious that it is extremely difficult to get anything through Congress? And so we think that same-sex marriage would pass on a federal level - by going through our f'ed up Congress? Really? Please. He could barely get a healthcare bill passed without the country going mad.

As they are doing, DOMA and Prop 8 will go through the Supreme Court. He'll file a brief regarding his opinion at a strategic time. Just like the supposed Biden slip-up occurred. That was a test to see how people would react, to see how far to go "at this time".

Of course, Mr. Romney could have been elected. Then WTF would we have done? Been stoned to death?

Posted by: T | Jan 26, 2013 6:31:15 PM

Mr Obama is indeed the best friend of LGBT folks on the national scene. Thank you sir.

Posted by: andrew | Jan 26, 2013 11:20:47 PM

I dreaded scrolling down to the comments section because I knew I would be greeted by calls of 'not enough'...
Now hear this, Obama is THE FIRST president to include us... Just because things aren't happening as quickly as you think they should does not give you a free pass to trash the guy... If you think it's not enough, turn your computer off, get up and DO SOMETHING about it...!

I am so confused by some of the comments on this page. Just reading, one might think that President Obama is an anti-gay bigot.

And, how in the world do you tell the President what he must do. His approach has been systematic, politically savvy, and I would almost say genius.

Is it not obvious that it is extremely difficult to get anything through Congress? And so we think that same-sex marriage would pass on a federal level - by going through our f'ed up Congress? Really? Please. He could barely get a healthcare bill passed without the country going mad.

As they are doing, DOMA and Prop 8 will go through the Supreme Court. He'll file a brief regarding his opinion at a strategic time. Just like the supposed Biden slip-up occurred. That was a test to see how people would react, to see how far to go "at this time".

Of course, Mr. Romney could have been elected. Then WTF would we have done? Been stoned to death?

Posted by: T | Jan 26, 2013 6:31:15 PM

Mr Obama is indeed the best friend of LGBT folks on the national scene. Thank you sir.

Posted by: andrew | Jan 26, 2013 11:20:47 PM

I dreaded scrolling down to the comments section because I knew I would be greeted by calls of 'not enough'...
Now hear this, Obama is THE FIRST president to include us... Just because things aren't happening as quickly as you think they should does not give you a free pass to trash the guy... If you think it's not enough, turn your computer off, get up and DO SOMETHING about it...!

I am so confused by some of the comments on this page. Just reading, one might think that President Obama is an anti-gay bigot.

And, how in the world do you tell the President what he must do. His approach has been systematic, politically savvy, and I would almost say genius.

Is it not obvious that it is extremely difficult to get anything through Congress? And so we think that same-sex marriage would pass on a federal level - by going through our f'ed up Congress? Really? Please. He could barely get a healthcare bill passed without the country going mad.

As they are doing, DOMA and Prop 8 will go through the Supreme Court. He'll file a brief regarding his opinion at a strategic time. Just like the supposed Biden slip-up occurred. That was a test to see how people would react, to see how far to go "at this time".

Of course, Mr. Romney could have been elected. Then WTF would we have done? Been stoned to death?

Posted by: T | Jan 26, 2013 6:31:15 PM

Mr Obama is indeed the best friend of LGBT folks on the national scene. Thank you sir.

Posted by: andrew | Jan 26, 2013 11:20:47 PM

I dreaded scrolling down to the comments section because I knew I would be greeted by calls of 'not enough'...
Now hear this, Obama is THE FIRST president to include us... Just because things aren't happening as quickly as you think they should does not give you a free pass to trash the guy... If you think it's not enough, turn your computer off, get up and DO SOMETHING about it...!

Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/2013/01/ccobama.html#ixzz2UQHRRG3sI see the racist GOProud has bought out some more internet trolls.

those silly white fags.

Posted by: Aldrich | Jan 26, 2013 1:25:50 PM

I am so confused by some of the comments on this page. Just reading, one might think that President Obama is an anti-gay bigot.

And, how in the world do you tell the President what he must do. His approach has been systematic, politically savvy, and I would almost say genius.

Is it not obvious that it is extremely difficult to get anything through Congress? And so we think that same-sex marriage would pass on a federal level - by going through our f'ed up Congress? Really? Please. He could barely get a healthcare bill passed without the country going mad.

As they are doing, DOMA and Prop 8 will go through the Supreme Court. He'll file a brief regarding his opinion at a strategic time. Just like the supposed Biden slip-up occurred. That was a test to see how people would react, to see how far to go "at this time".

Of course, Mr. Romney could have been elected. Then WTF would we have done? Been stoned to death?

Posted by: T | Jan 26, 2013 6:31:15 PM

Mr Obama is indeed the best friend of LGBT folks on the national scene. Thank you sir.

Posted by: andrew | Jan 26, 2013 11:20:47 PM

I dreaded scrolling down to the comments section because I knew I would be greeted by calls of 'not enough'...
Now hear this, Obama is THE FIRST president to include us... Just because things aren't happening as quickly as you think they should does not give you a free pass to trash the guy... If you think it's not enough, turn your computer off, get up and DO SOMETHING about it...!

I am so confused by some of the comments on this page. Just reading, one might think that President Obama is an anti-gay bigot.

And, how in the world do you tell the President what he must do. His approach has been systematic, politically savvy, and I would almost say genius.

Is it not obvious that it is extremely difficult to get anything through Congress? And so we think that same-sex marriage would pass on a federal level - by going through our f'ed up Congress? Really? Please. He could barely get a healthcare bill passed without the country going mad.

As they are doing, DOMA and Prop 8 will go through the Supreme Court. He'll file a brief regarding his opinion at a strategic time. Just like the supposed Biden slip-up occurred. That was a test to see how people would react, to see how far to go "at this time".

Of course, Mr. Romney could have been elected. Then WTF would we have done? Been stoned to death?

Posted by: T | Jan 26, 2013 6:31:15 PM

Mr Obama is indeed the best friend of LGBT folks on the national scene. Thank you sir.

Posted by: andrew | Jan 26, 2013 11:20:47 PM

I dreaded scrolling down to the comments section because I knew I would be greeted by calls of 'not enough'...
Now hear this, Obama is THE FIRST president to include us... Just because things aren't happening as quickly as you think they should does not give you a free pass to trash the guy... If you think it's not enough, turn your computer off, get up and DO SOMETHING about it...!
goodsite

I am so confused by some of the comments on this page. Just reading, one might think that President Obama is an anti-gay bigot.

And, how in the world do you tell the President what he must do. His approach has been systematic, politically savvy, and I would almost say genius.

Is it not obvious that it is extremely difficult to get anything through Congress? And so we think that same-sex marriage would pass on a federal level - by going through our f'ed up Congress? Really? Please. He could barely get a healthcare bill passed without the country going mad.

As they are doing, DOMA and Prop 8 will go through the Supreme Court. He'll file a brief regarding his opinion at a strategic time. Just like the supposed Biden slip-up occurred. That was a test to see how people would react, to see how far to go "at this time".

Of course, Mr. Romney could have been elected. Then WTF would we have done? Been stoned to death?